Firefighter Accused Of Having Sexual Relationship With Teen: Sheriff

POLK COUNTY, FL — A 24-year-old Polk County firefighter is accused by deputies of pressuring a 14-year-old girl to send nude photos of herself via Snapchat, a Polk County Sheriff's Office said.

Richard Dalton Battle of Palmetto faces charges of unlawful use of a two-way communication device, solicitation of a person under 16 to commit a lewd act and extortion, deputies said.

According to investigators, Battle reached out to the victim on Instagram in 2019. Shortly afterward, he added her on Snapchat.

The victim told Battle she was 14, and deputies said that Battle replied, "OK."

Conversations between the Battle and the victim because sexual. Battle threatened to tell the victim's mother that she was on Snapchat unless the victim sent him nude videos, a sheriff's office press release said.

Authorities said the victim felt scared when Battle told her he knew where she lived because of Snapmaps.

The victim sent him two nude videos of herself out of fear, deputies said.

In March 2022, the victim told Battle "she couldn't take it anymore," and told an adult about the online conversations Battle is accused of having with her.

Deputies interviewed Battle at the Ewell Road Fire Station on April 7. The suspect told deputies he had met the victim, whom he believed to be 18, on the dating app, "Tinder," the news release said.

The following are excerpts of Snapchat conversations between Battle and the victim, provided by the Polk County Sheriff's Office:

Battle - Where's the spicy video you used to send ???

Suspect - Haha damn had to try you used to send them now you don't such a shame

Victim - You're a shame for thinking I'll send them again
Victim - Like seriously wtf is wrong with you

Suspect - Was trying to see some a— but okay

Victim - leave a— alone
Victim - especially after she says no

“This is a clear-cut case of why parents need to be all up in their children’s business when they are online and using mobile apps," Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said. "We are happy the victim turned this suspect in and we hope she is able to recover from the abuse she suffered at the hands of this deviant suspect. Please put parental controls on your children’s tablets and cell phones – parents and guardians are the first line of defense when it comes to keeping children safe.”